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These types of distracted driving can cause an accident

On behalf of Ihrie O'Brien posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Many motor vehicle accidents are the result of distracted driving. Despite the laws in place to protect against this, some drivers continue to let distractions dictate what happens while they're behind the wheel.

Understanding the most common types of distracted driving can help you avoid trouble. Here are six things you need to avoid when operating a motor vehicle:

Daydreaming: It's easy for your mind to wander, especially if you're sitting in traffic or cruising down the highway. If you find yourself distracted or lost in thought, bring yourself back down to earth by focusing on what's happening around you.

Texting: When you text, you take at least one hand off the wheel. You also take your eyes off the road. Furthermore, you're not thinking about driving, but instead, you're focused on crafting a message. All of these things greatly increase the risk of an accident.

Talking on the phone: Even if you're using a hands-free device, talking on the phone has the potential to distract you.

Eating or drinking: Many people make it a habit to eat or drink while driving, especially during the early morning hours when they're in a hurry to reach their destination. This causes you to remove one or both hands from the wheel, as well as looking away from the road.

Passengers: From your children in the backseat to your co-worker in the front seat, passengers have a way of distracting you from the task at hand. Protect against this by letting them know that you must remain alert and focused on the road at all times to keep everyone safe.

Outside distraction: From a billboard to a pedestrian, outside distractions are likely to come into play. Don't let your eyes wander toward anything that takes your attention away from the task at hand.

Even if you're doing your part in avoiding distracted driving, you can't expect every other driver to do the same. There will always be people who assume they can multitask while driving, which greatly increases the risk of an accident.

If a distracted driver causes an accident, move to safety and call 911. Receiving immediate medical treatment is a must. From there, you can contact your insurance agent, gather information regarding the accident and formulate a plan for taking legal action to obtain compensation from the negligent driver.

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